Zika, microcephaly & the retina
A documented chronology of multicenter clinical research and international coverage of ocular findings observed in northeastern Brazil.
From Pernambuco to the world literature
The public academic record lists Mauricio Maia as coordinator of the “Multicenter Study of Ocular Changes Resulting from Congenital Zika Virus Infection,” conducted from 2016 to 2020. Teams from Fundação Altino Ventura, HOPE and UNIFESP, together with international collaborators, described retinal, choroidal and optic nerve findings and helped establish the importance of eye assessment in congenital Zika syndrome.
This archive clearly distinguishes peer-reviewed studies, Brazilian coverage and international coverage.
The first records
Screening initiatives and collaboration between Recife and São Paulo rapidly produced the first reports.
Jan 8, 2016
Zika virus in Brazil and macular atrophy in a child with microcephaly
Report by Camila Ventura, Mauricio Maia, Vasco Bravo-Filho, Adriana Góis and Rubens Belfort Jr.; later described by the group as the first ocular report in the literature.
2016
Ophthalmological findings in infants with microcephaly
An early series involving mothers and infants with clinically presumed intrauterine Zika infection.
Jan 8, 2016
Doctors investigate ocular lesions in newborns
Contemporary reporting on teams in Pernambuco and São Paulo and the screening efforts in Recife and Salvador.
Jan 11, 2016
Study links microcephaly and vision problems
National television report on infants assessed in Pernambuco and findings in the optic nerve and retina.
Jan 11, 2016
Early study associates Zika with retinal damage
An interview with Mauricio Maia about the Lancet report and the investigation of affected infants and their mothers.
International coverage
Successive clinical publications were reported by news organizations and ophthalmology institutions in several countries.
Feb 2016
Ocular findings in infants with microcephaly in Salvador
A 29-infant study with Mauricio Maia among the authors, documenting vision-threatening findings.
Feb 9, 2016
Zika tied to major eye defects in babies
International coverage of the Brazilian evidence and its potential consequences for children and families.
Feb 9, 2016
Zika may be linked to eye abnormalities in babies
Coverage of the macular and chorioretinal findings reported by Brazilian researchers.
Mar 2016
Ophthalmologists on the front lines
The American Academy of Ophthalmology reviews the rapidly evolving crisis and studies from Pernambuco and Salvador.
May 26, 2016
Risk factors associated with ophthalmoscopic findings
A study of 40 infants born in Pernambuco linked findings to smaller head circumference and maternal symptoms in the first trimester.
May 26, 2016
Study identifies risk factors for eye abnormalities
International release on the JAMA Ophthalmology study and its clinical findings.
May 26, 2016
Concern Zika causes baby eye problems
UK coverage of concerns that prenatal Zika exposure could damage the developing eye.
2016
Zika virus and the eye
Mauricio Maia speaks for the Zika Virus Study Group at the 2016 World Ophthalmology Congress.
Jun 7, 2016
Neurological and ocular findings without microcephaly
A report by Camila Ventura, Mauricio Maia and colleagues that expanded attention beyond microcephaly at birth.
Research continuity
The group continued investigating retinal layers, glaucoma, microstructure and the clinical implications of congenital Zika syndrome.
Nov 2016
Optical coherence tomography of retinal lesions
OCT documented severe involvement of the neurosensory retina and choroid.
Nov 10, 2016
Zika can cause severe retinal damage in infants
International coverage of the OCT study published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Nov 30, 2016
Zika and glaucoma linked for the first time
Report on a study involving Mauricio Maia and collaborators in Brazil and at Yale.
2017
Glaucoma and Congenital Zika Syndrome
Peer-reviewed clinical report with Mauricio Maia among the authors.
2017
Zika virus and the eye
A review of lesion patterns, risk factors and public-health implications.
2021
Ophthalmological manifestations in congenital Zika syndrome
A systematic review and meta-analysis extending the international research record.